From Care to Construction: Emily Freeman's Story
For site supervisor, Emily Freeman, work looked very different a few years ago. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she was working in a care home. Fast forward to 2026 and she’s looking after the day-to-day operations at Holcim UK’s Holme Park dry silo mortar plant. At first, it might seem like a night and day comparison, but the skills and ambition Emily brought from her time in the care sector have helped her seamlessly transition into the construction sector.
Providing care in dark times
When we think back to the Covid-19 pandemic, some of the sectors most visibly affected were those under the healthcare umbrella. Hospitals and care homes took the brunt of the impact, and for Emily Freeman, she was working right in the eye of the storm.
Emily said: “Throughout the pandemic, I was working in care homes looking after dementia patients. It was an incredibly challenging and emotional time but it taught me resilience, patience, empathy, and how to stay calm and supportive under pressure - qualities that have stayed with me ever since.
“Towards the tale-end of the pandemic, I was ready for a career change and so I turned to a profession that has a strong family connection for me – the construction industry.”
Emily’s great grandfathers, grandfather and father worked in quarrying – including at Holcim’s Topley Pike - so it’s safe to say the sector is a family affair, but not one she was too familiar with. After seeing a job advertisement in Holcim’s office in Carnforth, Emily joined the company in May 2022 as a temporary sales administrator before moving to purchasing administrator for the readymix purchasing team. She is now site supervisor of Holme Park dry silo mortar plant.
Learning the ropes
Day-to-day, Emily’s role sees her take on a mix of operational and administrative responsibilities. On the operational side, she carries out routine checks on the plant, batches mortar and makes sure the yard is kept safe, tidy and well-organised.
Emily explained: “On the admin side, I ensure stock levels are kept updated, order materials for Holme Park, and most recently, I’ve started taking charge of inbound logistics for Wrexham and Ellesmere Port. From January 2026, Holme Park transitioned to a plant-shipped operation which means that customer’s orders are handled directly by me at the plant rather than a separate team. This is so exciting since it means I get to liaise with more customers and plan delivery runs and dispatches.”
Holme Park is a key part of Holcim UK’s expansion of its national mortar network, joining Wrexham, Ellesmere Port, Kidderminster and Croft. The site works alongside Kidderminster, strengthening coverage across the Midlands, Bristol, South Wales and Central England. Together, the two sites expand Holcim’s dry silo mortar network for national housebuilders, SME contractors and merchants who rely on dependable supply.
Emily tends to work on her own at Holme Park alongside one truck driver, Dave Gordon She’s become used to her own company and enjoys the peace and quiet. “I really enjoy working at Holme Park because I feel like I can truly focus,” Emily said. “You can really lock in if you’ve got admin to get through – but you’ve definitely got to like spending time with your own thoughts. You’ve also got to be good at motivating yourself, which I think I’m quite good at. I make sure everything gets done which is always a good quality to have and one I brought with me from the care sector.”
From making sure her organisation is on top form, to working well as a team with the people she meets day-to-day, Emily has certainly proven that a career change from whatever sector is possible. As a woman working in a typically male‑dominated industry, she has felt wholly welcomed by her colleagues.
Emily said: “Being a woman in construction has been a really positive experience. I’m proud to work in a traditionally male‑dominated sector, and I hope my journey shows there’s absolutely a place for women here. From the very beginning, I’ve felt fully supported by my male colleagues.
“If anything, the people I work with are always pushing me to be the best version of myself and encouraging me into more hands-on aspects of the business. I feel really valued at Holcim.”
Getting outside, outside of work
Beyond her day job at Holme Park, Emily is a keen wild swimmer. She takes her campervan away for weekend trips and is accompanied by her two Saluki dogs, Darius and Lexi. Being out in the open air helps her to reset and maintain a healthy balance between work and her personal life.
Emily said: “Even in the winter months, being outside really helps me. I’ve loved cold water swimming ever since I was a teenager and the thrill you get afterwards is genuinely unbeatable. I can just pack up my life for the weekend in my campervan and hit the road with my dogs – it’s fantastic.”
Looking to the future, Emily has many ambitions for both her personal and professional life. She said: “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the business through admin roles and now through operational roles. I’d like to continue learning wherever I can and keep saying yes to opportunities that help me grow, both personally and professionally, and allow me to enjoy my life to the fullest.”
Emily has never stood still and her eagerness to grow and develop in her role at Holcim proves that at whatever stage you’re at in life, no career change is ever too big of a leap.
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